venice ♔ to remove the stain of my love

[romanticidal]

♬ My Confession - Josh Groban

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Kat, Gar, Buffy, Myri [closed]
WHAT || Invited to the home of the talented singer, the Knights attempt to learn more about his connection to NOVA Records.
WHERE || Rafael's villa, an hour outside Venice, Italy
WHEN || July 6, evening.
HOW || Actionspam, NO TAG ORDER

With Dumage MIA and not responding to her phone, the girls quickly got ready for an evening at the home of the exceptionally talented singer who had dragged them in front of the audience at Notturno. Gar looks nice, if subtly so, in a mid-length red dress and simple make-up (11 Disguise check which is what I use for people prettyifying up). Kat's own attempts to do her make-up when left unaided in the bathroom left her coming out looking like Rocky Raccoon, unhappily smeared in blush and metallic eyeshadows (crit fail :( ), but after the other girls helped salvage her (15), she looks really pretty, though still not wearing anything remotely close to a dress. Ever.

The girls take a ride outside of town, driving through Veneto at breakneck speeds, because someone let Kat drive (check 17). What should be an hour's journey takes them half that time, and they pull up to the impressive sight of a dual story white and red villa that all but screams luxury.

Comments

[slay]

Well, the media makes it out to be mob central for a reason. [ she gives a little shrug, then looks around. ] But, that's usually just for people who are involved in that kind of thing, and he wasn't -- I mean, if he was in with Nova, he probably wasn't into shady stuff like that, right?

1/-

[savemyself]

That seems a foolish conclusion to draw. Men in powerful positions are prone to corruption, no matter who they are, or what their business.

Or perhaps he was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

2/3

[romanticidal]

[ now it's rafael who looks suddenly put off by the subject, and he sets down his fork, saying: ]

Such a dark subject for dinner. Perhaps we can find something more fitting.

Do any of you ride?

[rationalizes]

[ gar looks a bit let down by the shift, but seems to think it'd be too transparent to steer the conversation back so obviously. ]

Horses, you mean? Why... yes, a bit. When I was a child.

[witchwoman]

I always wanted to learn. Do you have horses here? [Oh well. Best to just keep him talking and hopefully find out something useful later on.]

1/-

[romanticidal]

[ he nods enthusiastically ] A few. If you would like, after dinner, I may show you.

2/-

[savemyself]

I thought you said they were leaving tomorrow, Rafael. No doubt they have packing to do tonight.

3/3

[romanticidal]

We have many rooms here. You are all welcome to stay! If your plane is a problem, we could purchase you seats on a later flight, perhaps. I see no reason to rush.

[slay]

You -- [ buffy blanches, nearly choking on pasta. she coughs and gulps down some wine to chill her tits. ] ... You want us to stay here? Like ... with you here?

1/-

[savemyself]

[ buffy's not the only one who has a reaction. isabella's fork slams down through her food so hard that it sounds like it's about to crack the plate. she affixes rafael with a glare that's out and out venomous. ]

2/3

[romanticidal]

[ if he notices, he's really really good at faking like he doesn't. ]

It seems only hospitable, no? We have so much room, and yet get so few guests.

[shootfirst]

If this deal includes breakfast, count me in.

[witchwoman]

You're a very generous man to open your home to us like that. Thank you.

[Myri gives him a genuine smile.] And I would love to see the horses, if we have time this evening.

1/-

[rationalizes]

Yes, I think we'd all be delighted to stay.

2/-

[romanticidal]

[ rafael turns to where buffy sits, raising his wine glass and offering her a little side smile. ] And you as well, signorina?

3/3

[savemyself]

[ do you feel that, buffy? holes. being burned in your head. and the hideous grinding sound of isabella's fork screeking across her plate as her hand applies even more unconscious pressure to it. ]

[slay]

[ buffy slowly sets her wine glass aside as the fork screeches and clears her throat, looking around uncomfortably, and then drums up a smile. ]

... I'd love to! Obviously. I mean I don't -- I've never ridden. Almost. Back -- [ don't say at the castle don't say at the castle it doesn't matter how charming he is you have to lie. ] Home. B-But, I mostly just ... watch.

1/-

[romanticidal]

I think we might find room for some spectators as well. [ he holds his glass aloft as if for a toast, a teasing edge to his tone. ] We have a plan, then. But for now... let us not allow this dinner to go to waste.

2/-

[rationalizes]

It's quite wonderful. Is ... Hiro your cook as well?

3/4

[inevitablekungfumoves]

[ oh i guess he's not a mute ] Signore Giovanni prepares the meals. I only serve them.

[savemyself]

[ isabella pushes her own plate aside, abruptly, folding her napkin and dropping it on top of it ]

And I think I have no appetite for Signore Giovanni's meal tonight.

If you will excuse me. [ as polite as the words might be, they come out icy cold as she rises ]

[witchwoman]

[Myri watches the woman leave, wondering if they are in harm's way at all by crossing her, but decides that Rafael holds sway here, obviously, so if they have his blessing, they should be fine.]

The food is very good. [She offers meekly. But after a moment adds.] I hope we did not offend her in some way?

1/.... 1!

[romanticidal]

[ ♬ Okay - KaiserCartel

Rafael finally watches her as she leaves, and his shoulders droop the tiniest bit in frustration, though he squares them again as he shakes his head. ] No, no... [ he frowns slightly. ] Isabella... does not approve of my granting this sort of audience to my fans. She thinks it is bad business, you could say.

[slay]

I'm sorry. You've been so great, having us here and everything. The last thing we wanted to do was cause any trouble between you and your ... friend. [ buffy stumbles over the world, giving a little raise of her eyebrows and seeking confirmation that friend is a good descriptor. as opposed to, say, girlfriend. ]

[romanticidal]

It is no trouble, I assure you! [ he doesn't correct her, but he glosses over it so fast that it's unclear whether that's out of preoccupation with her leaving or because buff was spot on. ]

Isabella merely believes it is her job to worry for me. [ he flashes a bright smile. ] Now, shall we finish our meal and take a walk to the stables?